1971 Dalva Golden White Colheita

[djewesbury]

We (DJ+RB) have decided to taste as many white ports as we can find locally in the next little while. Obviously white port often has a fairly poor reputation amongst drinkers of VP and it's not surprising; it's not a drink most producers take at all seriously. We tasted some really excellent aged whites at the BFT (first three entries listed below) and found them very different to what are usually very insipid drinks. We thought it was time to see whether the non-aged market has improved at all.

Niepoort 10-year-old White
2003 Kopke White Colheita
Kopke 20-year-old White
Quinta de la Rosa Extra Dry White
Cockburn Light Dry White
Niepoort Dry White
1971 Dalva White Colheita

Thanks to PhilW for recommending the Dalvas a while back. We finally found a bottle of the 71 in the IVDP shop in Porto.
A deep golden colour. On the nose this has a very rich sherried aroma with almonds and salt, and yet the port aromas are still there - the sweetness, the candied fruit, lurking behind. This is very soft in the mouth; the fruit rather quiet at first, then some light acidity on the tongue, and finally light tannins lingering on the gums in the finish. So far, so good. I think I can sense light wood, some tobacco notes, a biscuity dryness, all of which are very pleasant indeed. The sherry character is very much present in the dry heat that finishes each mouthful.

Very good; very drinkable. Not sure whether it's a whole step above the other aged whites I've had (e.g.) but it is certainly very very nice.

[DRT]

This is worth seeking out. Fabulous stuff.

[mosesbotbol]

Dalva and then Kopke are the go to aged white port brands.

[Glenn E.]

This is worth seeking out. Fabulous stuff.

This is not the Port you're looking for. <waves hands frantically>

Stop telling people to buy my birth year favorites!

[djewesbury]

This is worth seeking out. Fabulous stuff.

This is not the Port you're looking for. <waves hands frantically>

Stop telling people to buy my birth year favorites!

*buys up entire world stocks of '64*

[djewesbury]

Lightly chilled this is even more delicious. The nose is indistinguishable (to me) from a sherry, but in the mouth this is just a little more thick and full, more luxuriously smooth and velvety. I might have another.